Water Intelligence Brief · Archive

Box Elder County, UT

October 12, 2026

Box Elder County Water Intelligence Brief

Bear River Basin | October 12, 2026

Situation Summary

Bear River flows near Corinne are running at 827 cfs and rising, providing solid late-season supply for Box Elder County irrigators as the 2026 irrigation season winds down. Upstream gauges show modest but stable inputs, and current delivery conditions appear adequate for remaining field operations this week. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All SNOTEL stations in the Bear River Basin are reporting at or near seasonal baseline for mid-October, with no meaningful snow-water equivalent on the ground:

  • Bear River RS: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"
  • Emigrant Summit: SWE 0.1", Depth 1.0"
  • Franklin Basin: SWE 0.0", Depth 1.0"
  • Garden City Summit: SWE 0.0", Depth 1.0"
  • Giveout: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"
  • Slug Creek Divide: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"
  • Tony Grove Lake: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"
  • USU Doc Daniel: SWE 0.0" (0% of 0.1" median), Depth 0.0"

    • These readings reflect normal early-October conditions — the basin's historical median SWE for this date is also effectively zero at most stations. Background context: the 2026 snowpack melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date due to an anomalous March heat wave, which shaped this season's supply trajectory. Accumulation-season snowpack will not begin building meaningfully until November or later.

    Streamflow Conditions

    Bear River Basin gauge readings as of October 12, 2026:

  • Bear River at Border, WY: 58 cfs (rising)
  • Bear River at Pescadero, ID: 40 cfs (stable)
  • Bear River near Corinne, UT: 827 cfs (rising)
  • Blacksmith Fork ab Up and L Co.'s Dam nr Hyrum, UT: 49 cfs (stable)
  • Little Bear River at Paradise, UT: 40 cfs (rising)
  • Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT: 107 cfs (stable)
  • Malad River near Bear River City, UT: 6 cfs (data from 05/15)

    • The Bear River near Corinne at 827 cfs and rising is the headline figure for Box Elder County users — this is the primary delivery-reach gauge and the number most relevant to canal company operations in the lower Bear River Valley. The rising trend at Border, WY and Little Bear River at Paradise suggests continued or increasing inflow to the lower system in the near term. Logan River at 107 cfs stable provides a consistent tributary contribution. The Malad River near Bear River City reading of 6 cfs carries a May 15 data date and should not be treated as current — contact the local gauge operator or Utah Division of Water Resources for updated status on that tributary.

    Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact Bear River Canal Company to confirm current diversion schedules and any anticipated changes to delivery timing as the irrigation season closes.
  • Check with the Utah Division of Water Rights (waterrights.utah.gov) for current water right administration status on the lower Bear River and any active curtailment orders affecting Box Elder County diversions.
  • Monitor USGS National Water Information System (waterdata.usgs.gov) for daily updates to the Bear River near Corinne gauge, as the rising trend warrants continued tracking through mid-October.
  • Contact the Utah Division of Water Resources for current status on Bear Lake and Cutler Reservoir operations, as regional storage conditions directly influence lower Bear River delivery reliability heading into the off-season.

    • Subscribe for the full brief including reservoir storage, weather forecasts, depletion analysis, and detailed operational recommendations.

    Data Sources: SNOTEL data through October 11, 2026; USGS streamflow data through October 12, 2026

    Data Current As Of: Utah Division of Water Rights

    Important Disclaimers: This brief provides automated analysis for informational purposes only. Specific numerical claims have not been independently verified. Consult official sources including your local water district, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and Utah Division of Water Rights for regulatory decisions and water rights administration.

    Data & Disclaimers

    Sources: NRCS SNOTEL network · USGS National Water Information System · National Weather Service

    This brief provides automated analysis for informational purposes only. Consult official sources including your local water district and state Division of Water Rights for regulatory decisions. This document does not constitute legal, regulatory, or engineering advice.

    Other Issues

    Box Elder County Brief — October 26, 2026Box Elder County Brief — October 19, 2026Box Elder County Brief — October 5, 2026Box Elder County Brief — September 28, 2026Box Elder County Brief — September 21, 2026Box Elder County Brief — September 14, 2026Box Elder County Brief — September 7, 2026Box Elder County Brief — August 31, 2026Box Elder County Brief — August 24, 2026Box Elder County Brief — August 17, 2026Box Elder County Brief — August 10, 2026Box Elder County Brief — August 3, 2026Box Elder County Brief — July 27, 2026Box Elder County Brief — July 20, 2026Box Elder County Brief — July 13, 2026Box Elder County Brief — July 6, 2026Box Elder County Brief — June 29, 2026Box Elder County Brief — June 22, 2026Box Elder County Brief — June 15, 2026Box Elder County Brief — June 8, 2026Box Elder County Brief — June 1, 2026Box Elder County Brief — May 26, 2026Box Elder County Brief — May 15, 2026Box Elder County Brief — April 26, 2026

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